Corrie Wilson is settling into life as an Apprentice Quantity Surveyor with joint venture Esh-Stantec after impressing colleagues during a 45-day T-Level placement with Esh Construction earlier this year.
Esh has welcomed its largest ever apprenticeship cohort in five years – a move that reinforces its commitment to invest in the workforce of the future. The latest intake sees the current number of apprentices employed in 2023 rise to 29, with upwards of 8% of the group’s workforce taking part in an apprenticeship scheme.
Before joining Esh, Corrie studied T-Level Design, Surveying and Planning at New College Durham which includes a 45-day work placement. During the summer, Corrie completed his work placement as a block where he worked alongside the planning team, quantity surveying and on site.
Corrie said: “I really liked the company and the people I worked with during my T-Level placement and I was keen to progress down the apprenticeship route, as I didn’t think university would be for me. I had an idea that I wanted to be a Quantity Surveyor before doing my work placement, and my time with Esh enabled me to experience the role in a workplace setting.”
After receiving excellent feedback, Corrie secured a role as Apprentice Quantity Surveyor with Esh-Stantec where he will study a Level 4 Higher Apprentice qualification in Quantity Surveying at New College Durham for three years.
Chris Timms, Planning Manager at Esh Construction, spent time working with Corrie during his work placement. He said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Corrie to the planning team for his T-Level Placement. He had an enthusiastic attitude, and we could see the passion and willingness to learn in the role. It is key that we train the future workforce through providing T-Level placements and Apprenticeship opportunities which not only benefit the individual but also the industry as a whole.”
Corrie also featured on BBC Look North during his time with Esh where he spoke about his T-Level qualification, his placement and how it enabled him to secure the apprenticeship role with Esh-Stantec.
Esh-Stantec is a joint venture between Esh Construction and sustainable design and engineering services provider, Stantec, formed in 2015 to deliver on Northumbrian Water Group’s water and wastewater infrastructure design and build framework.
Corrie concluded: “Some of the subjects from my T-Level have been transferable, which has allowed me to apply the knowledge I have already gained from the qualification to my work. Using technology and software such as Microsoft Excel has really helped me settle into the role. I have really enjoyed the first, it has sometimes been overwhelming, but I have learnt a lot. I am looking forward to furthering my studies and progressing my way up as a Quantity Surveyor.”
It was a pleasure to welcome Corrie to the planning team for his T-Level Placement. He had an enthusiastic attitude, and we could see the passion and willingness to learn in the role. It is key that we train the future workforce through providing T-Level placements and Apprenticeship opportunities which not only benefit the individual but also the industry as a whole.”
